The Honda CG 125 – It does exactly what it says on the tin. This iconic bike has been the ideal learner for over 30 years and rightly so. It has an excellent reputation with an almost bullet proof engine. A front disc brake was added in 2004 as well as improvements to the gearbox but otherwise it remained unchanged. The CG has been replaced by the Honda CBF due to new Euro 3 emission laws.

Made from 1976 – 2008 Seat Height: 780mm (30.7 in) Weight: 114kgs

Made since 1998 Seat Height: 680mm (26.7 in)   Weight: 125kgs

Suzuki Marauder GZ125 - Super low seat height and wide bars makes it an easy bike to control. Not the most powerful of 125s but it’s simple single cylinder engine means it’s not too slow off the lights. There are cheaper alternatives out there but none look as good or have the same presence as the Marauder.

If you fancy something different to the usual 125 and maybe a bit of street cred, the Honda CBR 125 is a good place to start! Don’t expect big bike speeds or dimensions but you do get a disc brake at each end, safe handling and a whole load of fun. Don’t be put off by images of low bars and high pegs though – it’s actually quite neutral and comfortable. Also see the Yamaha YZF R125 if you’re looking for a sporty 125.

Made since 2004 Seat Height: 776mm (30.5 in) Weight: 127kgs

Made since 2005 Seat Height: 780mm (30.7 in)   Weight: 124kgs

Popular with riding schools up and down the country, the Yamaha YBR is a really good place to start. What it lacks in styling, is made up for by practicality. It has both an electric and kick start, a luggage rack, grab rail and a centre stand. Popular with commuters, you can expect a smooth fuel injected engine with excellent MPG. It’s available as a naked, faired and custom so there’s something for everybody!

At the other end of the scale is the Honda Varadero. For those of you blessed with long legs, some would call this the daddy of 125s. It’s no quicker than the average 125, and cost’s quite a lot more but it’s well equipped and you get Honda build quality. If it weren’t for those L plates many would easily mistake it for a much larger bike.

Made since 2001 Seat Height: 802mm (31.5 in) Weight: 169kgs

Intermediate Bikes

Made since 2008 (4th Gen) Seat Height: 775mm (30.5 in) Weight: 169kgs

The Kawasaki 250R Ninja is a good looking bike with a riding position somewhere between standard and sports. It has a fuel injected parallel twin engine that is great round town but also good for 100mph. It has agile handling but also high-ish bars so you can still expect a comfortable ride. The Ninja’s trump card though is that it produces 33bhp making it ideal for those on a restricted licence. For a lot of people it also makes more sense than buying a restricted bigger bike and carrying the extra weight.

The Honda CBR 400 (and it’s many different incarnations), are more commonly known as a ‘baby blade’. This is a true sports bike and based very much on it’s bigger brother, the CBR 900 Fireblade. It looks damn good, has precise handling and yes - a low seat height! Like a lot of 400s, it's fast but not unmanageable. They’re not cheap considering their age, and they may require a bit of tlc every now and again (mainly down to age) but they hold their values well and have a large fan base.

Made from 1983 – 1994   Seat Height: 750mm (29.5 in) Weight: 180kgs

Made from 1989 – 2000 Seat Height: 770mm (30.3 in) Weight: 184kgs

The Suzuki GSF 400 Bandit looks just as good as it’s bigger brother. Admittedly it’s not the fastest 400, especially on the straights, but round the twisties is where the bandit belongs - It’s low centre of gravity and weight makes this bike oodles of fun. Don’t forget it also has a sit up riding position and decent brakes too!

Yamaha XV250 Virago. It has a comfortable riding position, very low seat height, and better than average handling as far as cruisers go. The engine is proven to be reliable with plenty of midrange - making it feel very much at home on A and B roads. The bike is put together well with a nice finish to paint and chrome. There is also a Virago 400, but they are quite rare.

Made from 1988 – 2001 Seat Height: 685mm (26.9 in) Weight: 139kgs

Made from 1988 – 1994 Seat Height: 705mm (27.7 in) Weight: 175kgs

The Honda VFR400 (aka NC30) has sharp handling, a sweet sounding V4 engine and is built to Honda’s typical high quality standards. In terms of power it is more middle of the road and useable compared to other 400s. It was only an official UK import between 1991 - 1994, so there are a lot of grey bikes around. Nothing major but watch out for the 18” rear wheel which will make tyre choices more select.

Big Bikes

The Kawasaki ER6. The first thing I noticed when sitting on the kwack was it’s narrow seat making it much easier to get both your feet on the ground. Reviews say it’s a hoot to ride and will handle most things that are thrown at it. The parallel twin engine is lively and a vast improvement on it’s predecessor; the ER5. Comes as naked (ER6n or faired ER6f).

Made since 2006 Seat Height: 785mm (30.9 in) Weight: 200kgs

Made from 1987 – 2003   Seat Height: 720mm (28.3 in) Weight: 195kgs

The Yamaha XV535 Virago. “Trusted, easy to ride and enjoyable performance”. The Virago has a solid reputation and offers a lot of cruiser for the money. The handling is what you’d expect from this style of bike and the seat is comfy. Pegs aren’t miles forward so you’re not too stretched out. Rarely do they encounter problems but the chrome takes some looking after.

One of the best things about the Suzuki SV650 is it’s engine. It behaves just as you want it to but wind on the revs and it’s a hoot! Build quality is fair but reliability and good looks more than make up for it. You can also get the SV650s (sport) which has fairing, lower bars and a sportier stance.

Made from 1999 – 2009 Seat Height: 800mm (31.4 in) Weight: 202kgs

Made since 2009 Seat Height: 785 (30.9 in) Weight: 202kgs

Suzuki Gladius 650. An updated version of the SV. The 650 v-twin engine is smooth and predictable making it ideal for new riders but with a top speed well over the ton, this fruity engine is far from boring. On top of that, for what Suzuki say is a ‘budget’ bike, it has great styling and a high quality finish.

The ER5 can best be described as a no frills workhorse. It’s finish is average and the engine’s not exactly exciting. But….. it’s popular with riding schools (straightforward and predictable to ride), good on MPG, cheap to insure and pretty inexpensive. This bike is a perfect of example of needs over ‘wants’ as a first bike.

Made from 1997 – 2006 Seat Height: 800mm (31.4 in) Weight: 193kgs

Made from 1995 – 2005 Seat Height: 805mm (31.6 in) Weight: 202kgs

The Suzuki GSF600 Bandit, not the lightest or lowest of bikes here but is a great bike for novice’s, commuters and those who feel like being a hooligan. The bandit is a very successful ‘all rounder’ bike with a great reputation and a rock solid engine. It comes as naked or faired, with plenty of parts being available for both.